Ink ribbon cartridge

Abstract

There is disclosed a portable thermal printer having a printer housing, a printing mechanism and an ink ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon. The cartridge has a cartridge housing and an improved brake for applying a slight braking force on a core of an ink ribbon supply roll in the housing. The cartridge is easy to load onto the printer. The cartridge forms part of the printer housing and is latched thereto. The cartridge is slid onto the printer and the cartridge housing detents into position.

We claim: 
     
       1. An ink ribbon cartridge for use in a printer, the ink ribbon cartridge comprising: a cartridge housing having a space in which a supply roll of ink ribbon is supported, the supply roll having a core with an inner surface and two opposite ends, the housing also having a space in which a roll of spent ink ribbon is supported, a brake disposed solely within the core between the opposite ends for continuously applying a braking force to the inner surface of the core to prevent an excessive amount of ink ribbon from being paid out during printing and for maintaining tension in the ink ribbon, and wherein the brake includes a frictional member cooperable with the inner surface of the core. 
     
     
       2. An ink ribbon cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the frictional member includes a tubular sleeve. 
     
     
       3. An ink ribbon cartridge for use in a printer, the ink ribbon cartridge comprising: a cartridge housing having a space in which a supply roll of ink ribbon is supported, the supply roll having a core with an inner surface and two opposite ends, a stationary shaft within the cartridge housing for mounting the supply roll, the housing also having a space in which a roll of spent ink ribbon is supported, a brake disposed solely within the core between the opposite ends for continuously applying a braking force to the inner surface of the core to prevent an excessive amount of ink ribbon from being paid out during printing and for maintaining tension in the ink ribbon, and wherein the brake includes a frictional member on the shaft and cooperable with the inner surface of the core. 
     
     
       4. An ink ribbon cartridge as defined in claim 3, wherein the frictional member includes a tubular sleeve. 
     
     
       5. An ink ribbon cartridge for use in a printer, the ink ribbon cartridge comprising: a cartridge housing having a space in which a supply roll of ink ribbon is supported, the cartridge housing having a grippable surface by which the cartridge can be latched in a printer, the supply roll having a core with an inner surface and two opposite ends, the housing also having a space in which a roll of spent ink ribbon is supported, a brake disposed solely within the core between the opposite ends for continuously applying a braking force to the inner surface of the core to prevent an excessive amount of ink ribbon from being paid out during printing and for maintaining tension in the ink ribbon, and wherein the brake includes a frictional member cooperable with the inner surface of the core. 
     
     
       6. An ink ribbon cartridge as defined in claim 5, wherein the frictional member includes a tubular sleeve.